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The Visa Run
Thursday, June 30, 2005-5:39 PM
Unless you're in China on a work visa, there are only a few ways to stay in the country continuously for more than a month, hardly any to stay in the country for more than two months, and none that I know of to stay in the country for more than three months straight.
Wishful thinking had me hoping there was a simple solution to my dilemma, but it looks like it's gonna take more than that to make my summer trip possible.
India issues six month tourist visas. Thailand doesn't even require a visa for U.S. citizens until they've stayed in the country for ninety days. But every type of Chinese business and tourist visa I know of only allows travelers 30 days per entry.
I need to travel in the country for more than a month, but I've heard of some awfully high fines for people who stay in the country after their visas expire.
There are three different strategies I've identified that might remedy the situation: make my trip shorter, travel somewhere else, or seek out places I can exit and re-enter China, gaining an exit and re-entry stamp in my passport (provided I have at least a double entry Chinese visa).
I prefer the third option: making at least one visa run during my journey. Especially, now being so close to Hong Kong, where so many countries have consulates, I can take a few days off next week, visit some Hong Kong travel agents and consulates and see what my options are.
What countries can I exit to? Of all the countries China borders, the ones that look most promising are Myanmar, Pakistan, and Mongolia.
Ever since some fellow travelers told me about their adventures in Myanmar, I've waited to go there for myself. The problem with Myanmar is that I'm not entirely sure how the border crossing there works.
Apparently there are two international checkpoints in Yunnan Province: one in Jiegao, and one in Wanding. However, only Wanding is open to foreigners.
Since my original intention was to make it as far as Kashgar, in western China, Pakistan seems like an ideal place to make an exit and re-entry. And if Pakistan doesn't work, there are a couple other 'Stans in the vicinity I can try.
Mongolia is the most out of way place to make an exit and re-entry. But after some lackluster travel reviews of Inner Mongolia, it just might be worth my while to take a trip to Ulaan Bataar anyways.
Regardless of what I find out in Hong Kong next week, I'll allot myself enough time before my Chinese visa expires that I can make a hasty exit by plane if I find myself in a sticky situation.
(Note: If anyone else has any suggestions or corrections, feel free to add a comment to this page or send me an email. I've tried posting questions on message boards, but it turns out I'm getting a better response here. Thanks.)
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